Get ready for the tough four

Preparing for an entrance test to some of India’s top colleges can be a mighty daunting task. It requires a disciplined and an organised study routine that needs to start well ahead of the examination schedule. With some of the major entrance tests coming up in the next few weeks, aspirants need to get their basics right, set up realistic goals, follow a well-chalked out routine and put together an efficient time management schedule.

HT Education spoke to experts to help you build the right strategy before the four major entrance tests that are the gateways to the most sought-after careers.

For the AIPMT, the chapters which carry maximum weightage are biotechnology, ecology, plant and animal physiology and evolution. Animalia, heredity diseases, inflorescence, floral diagrams, floral formulas and functions of cell organelles, biomolecules and evolution are also important topics. At least one mock paper should be solved daily in each subject but it should not be just confined to right and wrong questions.

The questions that you get wrong should be analysed again with the help of notes, study packages and books. “Just before the tests, the main emphasis must be only on the NCERT textbooks, figures, tables and diagrams. Do not focus on topics you have not been able to understand. Ensure that you are able to solve 50-55% questions in your prelims or mock tests. Practise solving 200 questions in three hours regularly to build your tempo. Before sitting for the PMT, it is recommended that you solve 20-25 full-length, full syllabus tests. If you’re exposed to 4000 questions prior to the main exam, your chances of clearing the PMT are brighter,” says Aakash Chaudhry, director, Aakash Institute.

Practise hardEnsure that you are able to solve 50-55% questions in your prelims or mock tests prior to the AIPMT. Practise solving 200 questions in three hours regularly to build your tempo

The Class 11 and 12 syllabi comprise about 45% and 55% of the IIT-JEE question papers, respectively. In AIEEE, there is generally one question from every chapter, so give equal importance to each chapter. In case of both exams, when you are preparing chapters of physics, chemistry and mathematics, focus on the following topics:

Chemistry: Coordination chemistry and chemical bonding, electrochemistry, and chemical and ionic equilibrium. “Go through the periodic table in general and read NCERT for inorganic chemistry. Avoid selective study,” says Ramesh Batlish, an expert at FIITJEE Ltd.

Study NCERTThe Class 11 & 12 syllabi comprise about 45% and 55% of the IIT-JEE papers, respectively. In AIEEE, there is generally one question from every chapter, so give equal importance to each chapter

LawCommon Law Admission Test (CLAT)CLAT 2012: May 13, 2012

While English carries 40 marks and general knowledge 50, mathematics will have questions worth 20 marks. Legal reasoning and logical reasoning will comprise 50 and 40 marks, respectively.

In the last few days, if you have been studying for CLAT for the last 10 to 20 months, you should concentrate on taking 12 to 15 mock tests and do a good analysis.

“The mock test analysis will tell you what you need to focus on for revision. If the paper is lengthy, the current affairs section will provide a clear edge and the fastest way to score,” says Rajneesh Singh, product manager (national) for law, IMS Learning Resources Pvt Ltd.

Candidates who will start preparations after their Class 12 boards must solve six to eight tests. While attempting the CLAT, remember that this is not a board exam where the percentage matters.

“This is a competitive exam where rank matters. If the paper is tough, it will be tough for all. No one can solve all the questions. An attempt of 160 questions with 85% accuracy will be enough for securing a place in the top three colleges, assuming that the level of CLAT 2012 will be same as CLAT 2011,” adds Singh.

Maximise attemptsAn attempt of 160 questions with 85% accuracy will be enough for securing a place in the top three colleges, assuming that the level of CLAT 2012 will be same as CLAT 2011